Master of Science in Finance

2012 Master Programsin EnglishSchool of FinanceMaster of Science in Financea MSF qualification that can change your career prospects for the betterWhy RUCLocated in Beijing, the capital of China, Renmin University of China (RUC) is a key comprehensive andresearch-orientated university. RUC is among the most elite and prestigious universities in China, and isespecially renowned for humanities and social sciences.RUC, according to China’s Ministry of Education, is “A Standard of the Humanities and Social Sciences inChina’s Higher Education Sector.” China’s Ministry of Education’s appraisal in 2009 ranked six of RUC’sprograms number one: Applied Economics, Theoretical Economics, Law, Political Science, Journalism &Communication and Marxism Studies. Programs ranked second were Philosophy and Library, Informationand Archive Management, while Business Administration ranked third.Founded in 1937, RUC is now comprised of 22 different schools of discipline, 14 inter-disciplinarycenters, 16 transitional centers for post-doctoral fellows, and also a School of Continuing Education, aSchool of Education and Training, the Shenzhen Research Institute, and International College (SuzhouResearch Institute). As of October 2009, RUC has a faculty of 1759 which includes 504 professors and 606associate professors. At 2009, RUC reached an enrollment of 22,856 full-time students, including 10,852undergraduate students, 9,834 postgraduate students, 1,578 international students and 592 other students.About SFRUCThe School of Finance (SFRUC) has two national key disciplines (Finance and Public Finance) and onenational key research center (China Financial Policy Research Center). The research center is the onlynational level research center in the areas of Finance and Public Finance in China. As China’s leadinginstitution of Higher Education in Finance and Public Finance, SFRUC has made important contributions tocurriculum construction, talent cultivation, and academic research in Finance and Public Finance.SFRUC has six majors for undergraduates (Finance, Public Finance, Taxation, Insurance, FinancialEngineering, and Credit Management), six majors for Master’s degrees, five majors for PhD’s degrees, andone Post-Doctoral research center.23

To cultivate more internationally recognizable talents, which are in short supply after China’s access to theWTO, SFRUC has established an innovative program for talented students, the undergraduate Pilot Class inFinance and Mathematics with bilingual teachers. This new program is part of the Quality Project in HigherEducation –“Second Major with Distinctive Features”, funded by the Ministry of Education of China, and isbased on the successful experience of the Pilot Class in Finance with Bachelor (4-year) plus Master (2-year)degrees in SFRUC. Each year, twenty-five top-notch students with excellent potential are selected to study inthe Pilot Class.To cater to the growing demand for highly capable talented managers who are well equipped with cuttingedgeknowledge of Public Economics, Corporate Finance, and Taxation, SFRUC has established anotherPilot Class program, the Pilot Class in Public Finance and Taxation. Each year, twenty top-notch studentswith excellent potential are selected to study in this Pilot Class with bilingual teaching.About MSF ProgramThe Master of Science in Finance (MSF) International Program was established in September 2010 and isrunning well and highly reviewed. The program depends on the academic advantages and training experienceof the School of Finance, offering overseas students – who are interested in understanding China’s financialconditions and problems but have not yet had a good basis of Chinese language – an opportunity tocomprehensively understand Chinese culture, economy and finance. The program completely covers China’sfinancial industry including banking, securities and insurance.Mode of Study■ Full-time (2 years)Degree Requirements■ The students must complete all coursework(minimum 31 credits) asspecified;■ Complete the thesis and pass the oral thesis defense at the secondsemester of the second academic year (usually in May or June).■ Degree will be conferred in late June or July.Objectives of MSF Program■ Comprehensive understanding of Chinese culture;■ Comprehensive understanding of institutional basis, the policysystem, institutions and organizations systems, business model andthe direction of development with respect to Chinese economy andfinance;■ Communication and connections within China’s financial industry;■ Research skill in Chinese economy and finance;■ Practical ability to engage in services relative to China’s financialindustry.24

2012 Master Programsin EnglishCharacteristics of the MSF Program■ Courses of the program will be lectured in English by professors with overseasstudy and teaching experience, government officials and industry experts.The language of instruction and administration in the MSF program is English.■ Each student will be assigned an academic supervisor, who is responsible forhelping the student in pursuit of his/her area of particular interest.■ The program strengthens student’s practical skills and pays attention to thecultivation of professional ethics.Training Directions of the MSF Program■ Financial Theory and Policy■ Banking Management■ Security Investment■ International FinanceCoursesThe MSF program requires four semesters of full-time study (fall and spring) at SFRUC. To gain thedegree diploma and graduation certificate, students should complete at least 31 total credits including22 required courses credits, 8 elective courses credits and 1 credit for a professional internship.There’s no credit for the master thesis, but students have to pass the oral thesis defense.Required CoursesFinancial Mathematics (2 c)Financial Econometrics (2 c)Modern Chinese Economy (2 c)Venture Investment (2 c)Chinese Capital Market and Investment (3 c)Corporate Finance and CorporateGovernancein China (3 c)Monetary Theory and Monetary Policy inChina (3 c)Public CoursesChinese Culture (2 c)Basic Level of Chinese (3 c)25

Elective CoursesInvestment Environment and Chinese TaxationSystem (2 c)Fiscal Theory and China Fiscal Policy (2 c)Risk Management of Chinese FinancialInstitutions (2 c)International Finance and RMB Exchange Rate(2 c)China’s Financial Law (2 c)Elective courses can also be chosen inpostgraduate courses offered by full Englishprograms of other schools of RUC.Social Practice (1 credit)Students should make a one-month academic inspection or investigation in financial institutions in China,and then finish investigation reports.Master Thesis (Non-credit but Compulsory)After finishing the training scheme, students should finish the master thesis under their adviser’s direction.The patterns of the thesis can be theoretical research, investigation report, case analysis and project, etc.For the 2012 fall MSF program, we plan to set up 5 professional courses and 1 elective Chinese course. Weencourage students to finish most of their courses in the first academic year and the teaching activities areorganized in this way. We offer flexibility to students in the second year. This means students can chooseinternships relevant to their own career plans. Students are also allowed to return to his/her home country toconduct thesis writing under the supervision of his/her advisor.Extracurricular ActivitiesWe strive to offer students the best possible experience through various approaches. For example, wecurrently offer:Field TripsRich and varied field trips can promote understanding of the state and characteristics of the Chinese firms,industries and economy. It will also benefit students who wish to work in China after graduation. At presentwe offer students opportunities to visit:■ Commercial banks, securities companies and other financial institutions;■ Industrial corporations;■ Financial regulatory agencies26

2012 Master Programsin EnglishGuest Speaker Program & SeminarThe MSF Guest Speaker Programs expose students to ideas from other academic institutions. Studentswill also have a unique opportunity to listen to and learn from the latest information from the famousprofessionals in the industry.Moreover, we currently hold a seminar (or tea party) once a month to exchange ideas, gather programsuggestions, promote mutual understanding, and advance further cooperation.Other ActivitiesWe also devise many interesting activities to enrich the students’ lives in China.■ We host an Oral English Competition for undergraduate classes the TAs teach every year.■ On weekends and holidays, we often organize teachers and students to visit resorts in Beijing, such asthe Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, etc, to appreciate the charms of Chinese culture.Entry Requirements■ Graduated from a recognized university and obtained a Bachelor’s degree, or:is about to obtain the Bachelor’s degree in the current academic year before August 31.■ Preferably major in Economics, Business and Mathematics, etc.■ Satisfactory English proficiency.AdmissionsApplications are accepted only for the fall term. Theapplication will be open on March 1st and closed on June30th. Applicants don’t need to pay the application fee, asthe fee waiver is provided by the School of Finance.Applicants should send the following materials to theSchool of Finance of RUC no later than June 30th,including:● Two copies of the Bachelor’s degree certificate.● Completed application form in hard copy with photo andsignature.Electronic version will be accepted for expediencyin processing, but must be followed by a hard Copy(Downloading application form: http://www.sfruc.edu.cn/MFDP/admissions.html)● Personal statement, including study and workingexperience, academic research achievement, study andresearch plan, etc;● Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions.Applicants from non-native English countries arerequired to submit a copy of their transcript(s) along witha certified English translation.27

● Two letters of recommendation from persons in a position to judge the applicant’s suitability forgraduate study in finance.● Four personal recent certificate photos;● Copies of published academic papers, rewards and other research achievements;● Proof of English language ability (TOFEL, IELTS or other international certificated English tests).Applicants who gain Bachelor’s degrees from English speaking countries don’t need to provide thiscertificate;● Scholarship form (optional). Applicants who want to be considered for a scholarship must submit theScholarship Application Form with their application materials. (Downloading application form: http://www.sfruc.edu.cn/MFDP/admissions.html)■ All supporting documentation must be mailed directly to the following address:Ms. Guo YingMSF Admission AdministratorMaster of Science in Finance International ProgramSchool of Finance, Renmin University of China,No. 59, Zhongguancun St., Haidian Dist., Beijing 100872 P. R. ChinaTel: +86 10-8250 9260 Fax:+86 10-8250 9261E-mail: recruitsfruc@ruc.edu.cn■ Materials examination: the School of Finance will examine the application materials submitted byapplicants.■ Interview: applicants who pass the material examination process organized by the School of Finance.■ Admission: determine the admission by interview performance and application materials of theapplicants.■ Enrollment: after getting the admission qualification, applicants should register at InternationalStudents Office of Renmin University of China in set time, conduct enrollment procedure and paytuition.Expenses and HousingTuitionThe current tuition rate is 60,000 RMB (around US $9100) per academic year. This does not cover costsof room and board, books and course materials, medical care services, field trip related expenses andother personal expenses.ScholarshipsNumerous merit-based financial support programs are available, and MSF students frequently applyfor and are often awarded these scholarships and fellowships to offset educational costs associated withtuition and living expenses. A list of such programs is provided here:■ MSF students are encouraged to apply for National Scholarship and RUC Scholarships.■ We provide TA opportunities to at most 12 students every year on a competitive basis. The selectedstudents are required to conduct 1-year (2-semester) oral English teaching for sophomores, with 3hours per week. One-year tuition (60,000 RMB) is waived entirely for TA.28

2012 Master Programsin English■ When enrollment reaches 30, the School of Finance will set up fellowships for students (up to10% of total enrollment, and must also participate in the TA program). And all the students whoobtain neither TA opportunities nor fellowships can win HP Scholarship (20% of tuition fee).HousingOn campus dormitory is available at RUC, with the price ranging from $300 to $390 per month,depending on amenities and payment arrangements. Students who are interested are suggested toapply before May 30.What the students say"MSF at RUC has provided me with the knowledge and cultural wherewithal to excel in globalbusiness."—— Sean Mackinnon, class of 2012"Through MSF at RUC I have been able to study under world-class professors in an environmentthat fosters personal and academic growth."—— Jeffrey Breece, class of 2012"RUC and its MSF program adequately prepared me for my future endeavors."—— Alexander Champagne, class of 2012“MSF at RUC helped me to combine my background with my Chinese professors and classmates'perspectives to more clearly and comprehensively understand the Chinese financial system.”—— Nicholas Holtkamp, class of 2013All enquiries are welcome.Please contact:Ms. Guo YingMSF Admission AdministratorSchool of Finance,Renmin University of China.No.59,Zhongguancun St., Haidian Dist.,Beijing,100872 P.R.ChinaTel: 8610-8250 9260Fax: 8610-8250 9261E-mail:recruitsfruc@ruc.edu.cnwww.sfruc.edu.cn/MFDP29